CANFIELD, Ohio (WJW) – An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper was struck and killed in a Mahoning County crash on Thursday while assisting a disabled vehicle.
“The Ohio State Highway Patrol is deeply saddened to announce the line-of-duty death of Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton, 40, who was fatally struck while assisting a disabled vehicle on state Route 11 in Mahoning County Thursday morning,” a release from the OSHP stated.
- Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton. Photo per OSHP
According to information released by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash happened on State Route 11 near Leffingwell Road just after 11:50 a.m.I-Team: Council president says don’t dismiss Browns lawsuits yet
According to the OSHP, Trooper Cayton was responding to a report of a disabled 2024 Kenworth semi tractor-trailer stopped in the right lane.
While at the scene, Cayton was sitting in his cruiser with his emergency overhead lights on when a 007 Mack Granite was traveling north and crashed into the back of his cruiser.
That is when Cayton’s cruiser went forward and crashed into the back of the disabled tractor-trailer and hit its driver as well, the release said.
Trooper Cayton was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer was life-flighted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement Thursday evening regarding the death of Trooper Cayton.Ex-Trump national security adviser Bolton charged in probe of mishandling classified information
“In service and sacrifice, Trooper Cayton honored the badge and fulfilled his sacred oath to the community,” he said. “My deepest condolences are with the family, friends and colleagues of this fallen hero.”
Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber also issued a statement saying, “We join in mourning the loss of Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton, who died in the line of duty, working to serve and protect the community. We are praying for his family, his colleagues and his friends.”
“Today, the Patrol lost a member of our family. This is a tragedy for the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Public Safety,” Colonel Charles A. Jones Patrol Superintendent said on Facebook. “Our prayers go out to the Cayton family during this difficult time.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine also ordered that U.S. and Ohio flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen trooper. Click here for more details.
This crash remains under investigation.
